Enema administration unit



p 21, 1965 w. G. WILSON ENEMA ADMINISTRATION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 8, 1963 INVENTOR.

71 740444 G. PV/Zsm/ firraen/sys Sept. 21, 1965 w. 6. WILSON ENEMA ADMINISTRATION UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 8.

Filed Nov. 8, 1963 INVENTOR. 71 741. /AM 6. "5250 flrrae/vsnsr United States Patent 3,207,298 ENEMA ADMINISTRATION UNIT William G. Wilson, Covina, Califl, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Resifiex Laboratory, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 322,413 14 Claims. (Cl. 206-175) This invention relates to an administration unit for liquids and more particularly to a novel unitary integral molded inexpensive enema administration unit so constructed as to be self-tipping and self-draining.

Prior proposed enema administration units have included plastic molded containers provided with attachment devices for metal or wire bails and outlet fittings which projected outwardly from the side walls of the containers or from the bottom thereof. Such separate metal bails were sometimes awkward to attach to the container and required adeptness of and mechanical skill in the user. Manufacture of such separate bails and attachment constructions was costly and the latter sometimes resulted in weakening of material sections at the attachment connection. Outlet fittings which projected outwardly from the prior containers were subject to damage during handling and prevented nesting of containers for storage and shipping. Special outlet fittings were required and made such prior units more costly.

In addition, many prior enema units were made of metal, required careful cleaning and sterilization, and were used for many patients. Such reuse of enema containers increased the chances of contamination and infection of other patients and required a high degree of care and supervision in proper cleaning and sterilization of such prior units.

The present invention contemplates a liquid administration unit which avoids disadvantages of prior devices for this purpose and which may be made in quantity at low cost so that each unit may be discarded after one use. The present unit is considered disposable; it therefore saves the cost and time required for cleaning and sterilization. The present unit is also so constructed that no assembly of parts is required except the fitting of a plastic drain tube to the outlet means of the unit, and such fitting may be easily and readily accomplished. The bail means of the present unit is integrally molded to the container.

One of the advantages of the present unit which embodies this invention is that the container means is selftipping so that all but an insignificant amount of liquid is drained therefrom. This self-tipping feature is achieved by a novel bail hinge connector integrally molded with the bail and with the container and in which flexing of the hinge connector section occurs in ofliset relation to the vertical plane bisecting the container or to the resultant force line of the center of gravity of the container with liquid. The integral bail means of this invention is constructed so that in original molded position, the bail will not interfere with nesting or stacking of the containers and will provide relief means for air which maybe trapped in a plastic bag covering by spacing of the bail means from the top lip of the container. The present invention also contemplates such an integral molded liquid administration unit which is made of a plastic material adapted to be used in injection molding and which forms a product of light weight, strong, rigid, sufficiently transparent to observe liquid levels therein, and of smooth finished surface characteristics.

The main object of this invention is to provide an administration unit for liquids and of novel construction and operation.

An object of the invention is to provide a containerbail-outlet construction capable of being formed by injection molding of plastic materials. Another object of 3,207,298 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 the invention is to provide such an integral molded container With a bail means connected to the container in such manner that the container, hung by the hail from a support, will gradually tip towards the outlet as liquid is drained therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel recessed outlet means integrally formed with the container means.

Another object of this invention is to disclose a liquid administration unit such as an integral plastic molded enema container wherein the container is formed to facilitate packaging of enema or douche tips or the like used with the unit. The invention contemplates a container in which the packaged tip is carried externally of the container in such a manner that nesting of the containers is permitted for purposes of cooperating with packaging the tip, and for storage and shipping.

A general object of the invention is to provide an enema administration unit inexpensive to manufacture, disposable, adapted for production by injection molding, embodying novel structural features, and capable of meeting high medical and hospital standards for such units.

These and many other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integral molded container for administering fluids embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged top view taken in the plane indicated by line IIII of FIG. 1 showing my novel bail hinge connector means.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken in a vertical plane indicated by line IVIV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a container supported by its bail and filled with liquid.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with most of the liquid drained therefrom and illustrating the self-tilting action of the container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container embodying a modification of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken in the vertical plane indicated by line VIIIVIII of FIG. 7.'

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken in a transverse plane indicated by line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken in a transverse plane indicated by line X-X of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing nesting of containers embodying the modification of the invention shown in FIG. 7.

An integral, self-tipping container or receptacle means embodying this invention is generally indicated at 10. The container means 10 may be of suitable size and volume, in this example, container means 10 is adapted to hold approximately 48 ounces of liquid. Generally speaking, the unitary integral container means 10 includes a bail means 11 adapted to be positioned or hung on a supporting member 12 for holding the container means in an elevated position so that liquid may drain therefrom through an outlet means generally indicated at 14, FIG. 4, to a suitable flexible plastic tube 15 which conducts liquid to a patient. The opposite end of tube 15 may be provided with laterally directed ports or may be equipped with any suitable means for directing the liquid into a body cavity.

The container means 10, bail means 11, and outlet means 14, may be made of a suitable plastic material and may be integrally formed as by an injection molding process. An exemplary plastic material having characteristics suitable for making such an integral molded container, bail, and outlet means may include a polyallomer of propylene-ethylene type made by Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., and identified as Tenite polyallomer. Such material has desired flow characteristics and good mold finish along with high stress-crack resistance, good plastic memory, high impact strength, and low mold shrinkage. The characteristics of this material permits reduction in the wall thickness of a molded section while maintaining strength so that production of the container means is inexpensive and may be disposed of or discarded after one use. Thus, sterilization of the container after use is avoided, and dangers of contamination and chance infection by the user are reduced. Hospital and medical standards as to sanitation, cleanliness, and use are more readily met. This material also has the characteristic of resistance to fatigue from flexing, as well as sufiicient tranparency so that the level of liquid therein may be easily observed. While such a polyallomer is preferred in the use of material for the container embodying this invention, it will be understood that other plastic materials having the desired characteristics of mold flow, strength, transparency, surface finish and inexpensiveness may be used.

The container means comprises a circular bottom wall 17 which is integral with a generally cylindrical side wall 18 to provide a chamber for liquid. Side wall 18 is slightly tapered or flared outwardly from bottom wall 17 and terminates in a top margin 19 having a radially, outwardly directed circumferential flange or lip 20. The top margin 19 defines a top opening 21 of container means 10. The slight taper provided in side wall 18 facilitates nesting or stacking of a plurality of containers 10 as by telescoping one into the other for storage and shipping purposes. In this respect it should be noted that outlet means 14 does not extend beyond the outer surface of side wall 18 and there is no obstruction on the outer surface of the container to interfere with such stacking.

Side wall 18 extends below bottom wall 17 in the form of a cylindrical bottom skirt or flange 23. A space 24 is thus provided beneath bottom wall 17 to accommodate a portion of outlet means 14, FIG. 4, and to also provide, when tube is connected to outlet means 14, a suflicient height for locating said tube above bottom edge 25 of skirt 23 so that the container will solidly seat on a fiat supporting surface without tilting thereof by an attached tube 15. Skirt 23 also provides suflicient space for readily attaching tube 15 to the outlet means while the container is resting upon a flat surface. The outlet means provides a recessed nipple which affords protection of a tube end from contact with a supporting surface and reduces exposure to contamination prior to use.

Outlet means 14 is formed integral with side wall 18 and bottom wall 17 at one side of container means 10. Outlet means 14 comprises an inwardly extending cylindrical wall 27 terminating in an internal annular wall 28 extending above and below bottom wall 17 and providing a drain port 29. Extending into an outwardly opening recess 30 defined by wall 27 is a tubular nipple 31 integral with wall 28 and terminating at or just inside of external surface 32 of side wall 18. The nipple 31 provides a passageway 33 communicating with drain port 29, the bottom of passageway 33 lying in the same plane as that of the top surface of bottom wall 17 or flush therewith so that flow of liquid from the container means 10 through the outlet means will be unobstructed.

The external surface of nipple 31 may be provided with an annular rib 35 defining with base 36 of said nipple an annular shallow groove 37. An end of tube 15 may be forced over the outer portion of nipple 31, over the annular rib 35 and then over base 36. The resilient characteristics of tube 15 permits flow of its material 4 into the annular recess 37 behind rib 35 so that tube 15 is securely attached and fastened to the outlet means 14.

Tube 15 may be made of any suitable plastic material, preferably a medical grade tubing made of polyvinyl chloride material, or other material of like characteristics. Tube 15 may be any suitable length, such as five feet.

The relationships between the inner and outer diameters of the nipple and tube 15 are important in order to assure a desired maximum flow rate of liquid and to provide frictional grasping of the nipple by the tube to prevent loosening or detachment of the tube when a liquid column is carried by the tube. For example, if a number 24 French tube is used, the inner diameter of the tube is about .220", the wall thickness about .040", the outer diameter about .300". For such a tube, the outer diameter of the nipple may be .250" and the inner diameter about .1 87. Such relationships, including a slight taper in the external shape of the nipple together with a rounded edge, facilitates the ensleeving of the tube and portion over the nipple as well as providing a tight frictional gripping of the nipple to prevent detachment of the tube when liquid is flowing from the container.

Bail means 11 may comprise an integral, semi-circular bail portion 40 of circular cross-section having a radius slightly greater than the radius of top lip 20 so that in original molded position bail portion 40 will lie externally of and spaced as at 41 from the lip 20, FIG. 2. Each end of bail portion 40 includes a somewhat flattened generally tangentially extending section 42 which is integrally formed at the outer end of a radially, outwardly rojecting bail pin section 43 having an inner end integral with outer margins of lip 20 as at 44. Pin section 43 may be circular in section. The pin sections 43 are dia metrically opposite and a diameter connecting pin sections 43, or the vertical plane bisecting the container in which the diameter lies, is perpendicularly disposed to a radius forming the axis of passageway 33 of outlet means 14. When the container means 10, bail means 11, and outlet means 14 is formed by injection molding, for example, bail means 11 lies in or at the transverse planar zone of lip 20 at the top of the container means.

The integral flattened sections 42 and pin sections 43 provide hinge connector means for the bail portion 40. The flattened sections 42 are offset from the plane vertically bisecting the container and on the side of the plane opposite outlet means 14. Thus hinging or bending movement of the bail is slightly ofl center so as to produce a self tipping action of the container means toward the outlet means as it is emptied.

While the cross-section of the bail means 11 has been indicated as varying in section and as integral with the lip 20, it will be understood that the bail means may be of any selected suitable cross-sectional shapes, may be of uniform section at the hinge sections, and may be integral with a portion of the side wall adjacent the top opening.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 7l1 reference numbers with a prime sign are used to indicate similar parts. The container 10 is constructed similar to container 10 except that wall 18' is provided with an elongated indented generally semicircular wall portion 50 defining an outwardly opening recess 51 extending from bottom wall 17' t0 and including top lip 20'. The depth of recess 51 varies throughout its length, a minimum depth occurring at bottom wall 17' which provides a seat at 52 for the bottom end 53 of an enema or douche tip 54 partially received in the recess 51. The head 55 of the tip is located adjacent the maximum depth. Approximately only half of the tip extends beyond the outer surface of wall 18'.

The tip 54 may be of any Well known construction adapted to be fitted on the distal end of tube 15, and may be retained in the recess by suitable means such as a band of adhesive tape 56. In some instances the tape may be omitted and the tip 54 retained by an outer bag 59 of thin pliable plastic film or material applied to the container when the units are packaged and arranged in nested relationship as described hereafter. As shown in FIG. 11 such nesting is permitted by slight yielding of plastic walls 18' at their upper portions to accommodate the projecting portions of tips 54.

When the enema liquid administration units 10 and/or 10' described above are packaged for storage and distribution, each entire container with the bail disposed in original molded position outside the top of the container may be placed within a thin plastic bag such as 59 which has sufficient length so that the upper portions 60 of the bag may be folded downwardly and inwardly into the container so as to cover all interior surfaces of the container. Coiled within the enveloped container may be tube 15 provided with a suitable clamp 46 for regulating flow of liquid through the tube. Also within the container may be a plastic sealed package 61 of an enema soap or the like and a sealed package of a lubricating jelly (not shown). A circular cardboard disc 62 with a side tab 63 may be placed over the above items with edges of the disc frictionally engaging sides of the bag within the container chamber to releasably contain the above items in the container.

to its original molded position, but has only partially returned, and has tipped container 10 so that virtually all of the liquid will be drained through outlet means 14. Only an insignificant quantity of liquid is trapped against side wall 18 at wall 27 of the outlet means as at 46.

After use, the container means 10 and tube 15 are destroyed or discarded and are not again used for administration of liquid.

The many advantages of the above described administration unit will be apparent. The bail 11 is integral with container 10; attachment of a bail with special attachment devices is not required. The integral bail connector means assures strength at the bail connection and self tipping of the containerthus virtually self emptying of liquid held in the container. The outlet means is recessed in the wall of the container and yet provides a readily accessible nipple for attachment of tube 15 and facilitates nested storage of a plurality of units.

The above items shown in FIG. 11 are exemplary of a complete enema package, and various other items may be packed in container 10 when used for other purposes.

For storage purposes a plurality of enema fluid administration units packaged as above described may be stacked or nested in telescopic relation by reception of the bottom portion of a container into the upper portion of an adjacent container. In the event air is trapped within such plastic bags enclosing container means 10, it will be apparent that such trapped air may escape around bail means 11 into the interior of the container and bag. Also, if desired, a perforation may be made in the bottom of the plastic bag opposite the bottom wall of the container so as to permit escape of air at that location.

When containers 10 are packaged, the externally carried tips 54 on successive containers may be slightly olfset so that the recesses 51 are not in vertical alignment to allow more compact telescopic relation of adjacent containers. Nesting .of the containers further retains the tips 54 in assembly with their respective containers.

When the liquid administration unit of this invention is to be used, the several items including enema soap, lubricant and tube may be removed from container 10 and the container removed from such plastic bag. One end of tube 15 may be sleeved over nipple 31 and is frictionally, interlockingly held on nipple 31 by the resiliency of the tube plastic material and the annular rib 35 and groove 37. Preferably the end of tube 15 is pushed over base 36 of the nipple. Clamp 46 may be closed on tube 15 so that when liquid is introduced into container means 10 leakage will not occur through tube 15. A desired solution of enema liquid is then prepared and container 10 filled to a desired level. After filling, container 10 may be hung from support member 12 by bail 11. In this position, FIG. 5, it should be noted that the bail 11 lies in a substantially vertical plane which is offset slightly from a parallel plane bisecting the container and passing through pin sections 43 forming the bail connection to the container. A slight tilt of the container toward the outlet means 14 may be present when the container is full of liquid.

As liquid is drawn from container 10 through tube 15, the clamp 46 being selectively opened, the container begins to gradually further tilt in the direction of outlet means 14 by reason of the oifset reduced sections 42 connecting bail portion 40 to pin sections 43. When liquid is substantially withdrawn from the container, the container will assume a position similar to that shown in FIG. 6, wherein bail means 11 has attempted to return While the modification in FIGS. 7-11 shows an external recess integrally formed in the side wall of the container it will be understood that the recess may be varied in size, shape, and location, the recess may open inwardly with the semicircular wall projecting outwardly, or the recess may be transverse to supply more flexible tips or other accessories.

While various modifications and changes may be made in the shape, size, and integral molded structure and characteristics of the unit described above, it will be understood that such changes coming within the spirit of the invention are contemplated herein and all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. A unitary molded liquid administration unit comprising: a container means of plastic material providing a chamber for liquid and having outlet means at one side of the bottom of said chamber; and bail means integral with said container means, said bail means having connector means integral with each side of said container means, said bail means including a bail portion extending transversely with respect to the container means and opposite to the outlet means, said connector means being subject to bending whereby said bail portion is movable into a substantially vertical position when the container means is filled with liquid and supported by the bail means, said connector means tending to return said bail portion towards its original position as liquid is drained from said container means whereby said container means is tilted towards said outlet means to drain substantially all liquid from said container means.

2. A unit as stated in claim 1 wherein said connector means includes hinge sections integral with said bail portion and said container means and offset from a plane vertically bisecting said container means.

3. A unit as stated in claim 1 wherein said connector means includes pin sections extending radially from said container means and hinge sections interconnecting said pin sections and said bail portion.

4. An integral self-tipping container of plastic material for administering liquids comprising: a bottom wall, a generally cylindrical side wall integral therewith and having a top margin defining an open top end; an outlet means integral with said side wall and bottom wall at one side of said container; and a bail member integral with said top margin and disposed exteriorly of said side wall in original molded position in the plane of said open end and extending in a direction away from said outlet means.

5. A container as stated in claim 4 wherein said bail member includes hinge sections adjacent said top margin, said bail member being movable about said hinge sections to a generally vertical position when the container is filled with liquid, the plastic material of said hinge sections providing sufficient memory to move said container and bail member relative to each other for tipping of said container as liquid is drained therefrom.

6. A container as stated in claim wherein said plastic material comprises a propylene-ethylene polyallomer.

7. A liquid administration unit comprising: a receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall integral therewith, a skirt extending below said bottom wall as an extension of said side wall, and an open end opposite said bottom wall; outlet means for said receptacle comprising an inwardly extending cylindrical wall integral with said side wall and bottom wall, an internal annular wall extending above and below said bottom wall, said cylindrical inwardly extending wall defining an outwardly opening recess, a nipple in said recess, integral with said annular wall and terminating within said recess, said nipple and annular wall providing a drain passageway for said receptacle flush with the bottom wall.

8. A unit as stated in claim 7 wherein said nipple includes an external annular rib and an adjacent annular groove adapted to frictionally retain an end portion of a drainage tube.

9. A unit as stated in claim 7 including a bail member integrally connected to said side wall adjacent said open end, said bail member including hinge connector means disposed for self-tipping of said container during drainage of liquid from said container.

10. A liquid administration unit comprising: a receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical sidewall, a bottom wall integral therewith and an open end opposite said bottom wall; a bail means integrally connected to said sidewall adjacent said open end; and extending in original molded position at least partially around said sidewall at said open end; an outlet means integrally formed in said sidewall at said bottom wall; said sidewall being provided with an elongated outwardly opening recess between said outlet means and one of the connections of said bail to said sidewall; said recess being adapted to retain an accessory for said administration unit.

11. A unit as stated in claim 10 wherein said elongated recess extends from said bottom wall through the top margin of said sidewall, said bottom wall afford a seat for the accessory.

12. A liquid administration package comprising an integral receptacle including a generally cylindrical sidewall provided with an elongated longitudinally extending outwardly opening recess, a bottom wall integral with said sidewall, and an open end opposite said bottom wall; outlet means for said receptacle spaced from said recess; bail means integral with said sidewall and spaced from said recess; and an accessory part for said administration unit at least partially received within said recess and retained therein; said sidewall being sufficiently flexible to provide nesting of one receptacle into the open end of an adjacent receptacle with said accessory part extending outwardly from sidewalls of said receptacle.

13. A liquid administration unit comprising: a unitary molded plastic composition receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall integral therewith, a skirt extending below said bottom wall as an extension of said side wall, and an open end opposite said bottom wall; outlet means for said receptacle comprising an inwardly and horizontally extending cylindrical wall integral with the side wall, skirt extension, and bottom wall, a portion of said cylindrical wall being below the level of said bottom wall, and an internal annular wall extending above and below said bottom wall and integral with said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall and annular wall defining an outwardly opening recess; a nipple extending horizontally from said annular wall, integral therewith, and terminating adjacent said side wall, said nipple being spaced from said cylindrical wall to permit attachment of the end of a drain tube to said nipple and to provide protection of said tube end.

14. A liquid administration unit adapted to be nested in stacked relation with like units comprising: a unitary molded plastic composition receptacle comprising a generally cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall integral therewith, a skirt extending below said bottom wall and integral therewith, and an open end opposite said bottom wall; outlet means for said receptacle adjacent the bottom wall and comprising an inwardly and horizontally extending cylindrical wall integral with the side wall, an internal annular wall unitary with said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall and annular wall defining an outwardly opening recess; a nipple extending horizontally outwardly from said annular wall and integral therewith, said nipple being spaced from said cylindrical wall to permit attachment of the end of a drain tube and to protect the end of the drain tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 744,656 11/03 Wider l28227 951,044 3/10 Axford l28227 2,051,940 8/36 Chichester-Miles 15048 2,175,917 10/39 Robinson 215100 X 2,367,599 1/45 Nelson 22218 X 2,866,575 12/58 Lattuca 22094 2,885,134 5/59 Cohen 229 X 3,100,487 8/63 Bathish. 3,119,541 1/64 Lynn.

FOREIGN PATENTS 521,465 7/53 Belgium. 736,912 9/55 Great Britain.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 17,210 2/29 Brainard.

115,703 6/71 Chattaway. 1,611,259 12/26 Wogenstahl. 2,293,476 8/42 Snellings. 2,577,001 12/51 Cole. 2,785,836 3/57 Smith et al. 3,100,487 8/63 Bathish.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner. 

7. A LIQUID ADMINISTRATION UNIT COMPRISING: A RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL, A BOTTOM WALL INTEGRAL THEREWITH, A SKIRT EXTENDING BELOW SAID BOTTOM WALL AS AN EXTENSION OF SAID SIDE WALL, AND AN OPEN END OPPOSITE SAID BOTTOM WALL; OUTLET MEANS FOR SAID RECEPTACLE COMPRISING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING CYLINDRICAL WALL INTEGRAL WITH SAID SIDE WALL AND BOTTOM WALL, AN INTERNAL ANNULAR WALL EXTENDING ABOVE AND BELOW SAID BOTTOM WALL, SAID CYLINDRICAL INWARDLY EXTENDING WALL DEFINING AN OUTWARDLY OPENING RECESS, A NIPPLE IN SAID RECESS, INTEGRAL WITH SAID ANNULAR WALL AND TERMINATING WITHIN SAID RECESS, SAID NIPPLE AND ANNULAR WALL PROVIDING A DRAIN PASSAGEWAY FOR SAID RECEPTACLE FLUSH WITH THE BOTTOM WALL. 